Autumn In New York Can Get Chilly Fast, Warner Discovers

MEDIA

November 12, 2004|By JOHN HOWELL

With 1:24 left in the first quarter Sunday, there was no quarterback controversy in New York. The Giants were up 14-0 and driving at the Chicago 13. Next thing you know, Kurt Warner is pressured, sacked, fumbles to the Bears but recovers the meaning of a New York minute.

``Funny thing is you have one game that's not up to par and all of a sudden [a quarterback controversy] starts,'' said Warner, who won two MVP Awards in St. Louis. ``I don't know too many places in the league where that would occur.''

Warner ended up with seven sacks. He fumbled twice and threw two interceptions in a 28-21 loss that was so awful Giants radio analyst Dick Lynch got deflated. ``Very pathetic,'' Lynch said as the Giants reversed field after a 34-13 win over the Vikings in Week 8.

``Real simple. The quarterback played bad. Coach won't tell you that. I'll tell you that,'' ESPN lead analyst Joe Theismann said Tuesday. ``To be honest, I'm surprised Kurt has played as well as he has this year.''

While Warner was still adjusting to the time difference between New York and the Midwest, Giants coach Tom Coughlin told WFAN's ``Mike and the Mad Dog'' Monday that Warner was his starter. On Tuesday, callers said rookie Eli Manning could do no worse. WFAN overnight host Joe Benigno said Wednesday, ``All I can say to that is we don't know what Manning can be yet.''

``[Coughlin's] got to do it soon,'' Theismann said about a quarterback change. ``[Warner's] thrown two interceptions into the end zone. It seems every time there's a short-yardage situation, a goal line situation, he's fumbling the snap. When your quarterback makes mistakes like that, you're going to lose.''

Theismann ticked off Giants players earlier this season when he called the offensive line the worst in the league. He probably wants that one back since Tiki Barber is second in the NFC in rushing with 102.5 yards a game and eight TDs.

``The other problem is when you get to November and December at Giants Stadium, I don't know if Warner is going to be able to hang on to the football or throw it hard enough in that weather. And a young arm may get it done,'' said Theismann, who will work Bills-Patriots on ESPN's ``Sunday Night Football.''

Theismann also takes his hits. He can go on and on with Mike Patrick and Paul Maguire on SNF and make you want to punt the remote when he makes a point and then tells you he told you so.

``Coaches don't want to say bad things about [the QB] because your football team might develop a bad feeling. Baloney,'' Theismann said. ``The fact is [players] aren't stupid. When you throw interceptions when you're not supposed to, when you can't get the exchange from center, it's a problem.''

``I would guess if Kurt struggles in the first half, Eli will be in there,'' Theismann said. ``Eli gives you mobility.''

Theismann does not exactly share a playbook with Coughlin, joining a chorus of analysts who said in September that Coughlin's system is too strict.

``Understand,'' Theismann said, ``Eli Manning is not Peyton Manning. He will never be Peyton Manning. And so don't even think about comparing them. Peyton runs the offense in Indianapolis. Under Tom Coughlin, Eli Manning will not run anything.''